Uzbek Air Force to receive first Embraer C-390 transport aircraft in 2026

:: Embraer

The first Embraer KC-390 military transport for the Uzbekistan Air Force is due for delivery this year, stated Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, at the Singapore Airshow 2026.

At the airshow, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer officially named Uzbekistan among the customers for the KC-390. While it did not disclose the total number of aircraft Uzbekistan will receive, the manufacturer previously reported an order for two aircraft of this type from undisclosed clients.

The Uzbek Air Force will primarily use the C-390 in transport and humanitarian missions, significantly improving its capabilities.

“We officially welcome the Republic of Uzbekistan to the group of C-390 operators as the Uzbekistan Air Force modernizes its transport capabilities”, said Bosco da Costa Junior.

Embraer pledged to work “in close coordination with this leading Central Asian Air Force to ensure flawless operation” of this aircraft”.

Tashkent has become the tenth customer for the C-390 and the first in Central Asia. This medium-lift, turbofan-powered military transport aircraft can carry up to 26 tons of payload over a distance of 2,000 km (1,080 nautical miles). The Uzbekistan Air Force’s current transport inventory includes Antonov An-26 and CASA C-295W light transports, An-12 medium transports, and Ilyushin Il-76 heavy airliners.